“Creativity, it’s your treasure, your power, your potential, and your power. It’s in our DNA. We are wired for it”, says Marta Ockuly, Psychology of Creativity & Creative Process Educator/Researcher, Ph.D.(c), M.Sc.

So many people don’t believe they are creative. I hear this all the time and have experienced that belief in the Intentional Creativity classes and workshops I teach. Research shows, and my experiences demonstrate it’s often related to something that happened in our childhood where our picture wasn’t put on the chalkboard or we compared ourselves others. “A shaming event early in life can undermine our confidence. From then on, some spend their lives arguing for their lack of creativity.”

Marta points out “it’s important to realize that creativity is not a product, it’s a process. The process starts from the inside out by imagining possibilities and then taking inspired expressive action to make ideas real. Actualizing ideas, whether they involve art, dance, music, building, crafting, writing, cooking, or problem solving, involves putting our imagination into action. True creative learning is always transformative. When we are open to experience, and take the risk to engage in creative process in a place where we feel safe to explore and express ideas, we can push past old boundaries and creativity can emerge.”

To awaken creative potential and build creative confidence, Marta suggests the following:

Take a Wonder Walk every day. A Stanford study shows that walking stimulates creativity and ideas, nature makes it even better. Observe the sights and sounds of nature, notice with each of your senses. Slow down and be mindful. Then find a place that draws you in, stand there and close your eyes, take a breath. Be in the moment. Afterwards journal about what happened.

Be a Beginner. Do something that both scares and excites you, but do it with a beginner’s mind. Note the feeling you have before and after. Take advantage of being a beginner! If your inner critic starts criticizing, say “I’m a beginner, I am just playing with the process”. That will silence the critic.

Engage in a creative process daily. Take a 30-day challenge. Doodle, take a photo on a theme, i.e., your dog or the sunset, play with movement or music. And after the 30 days review your body of work and the process. Notice what you learned and what you would do differently. This practice triggers the next thing because embodied engagement in creative process begins building your confidence. Pursue your passions and with persistence and practice, your creativity will begin to blossom.

The #1 characteristic of creative people? They consider themselves creative and value their creativity. Human creativity is a survival mechanism. It is also the currency of the 21^st century. Doing what you love gives you intrinsic motivation. Creativity is work that evolves over time. The more reward that is attached to outcome the less creativity there is. “We are living in times even children can become YouTube superstars. But your ideas into action and know failing forward is part of the process.” says Marta.

Go ahead now, give yourself permission to be a beginner! Maybe even have what I love to call a “mid-life first”. And I would love to hear about your experiences!

Marta Ockuly can be contacted through LinkedIn or magicalmarta@aol.com.

Kerry Lee, a 25 year Benicia resident, is a Certified Intentional Creativity® Teacher and Coach will be facilitating an event that embraces wonder, walking and allowing ourselves to be a beginner on Friday, June 9, “From the Heart, With a Hike, To the Full Moon”. Learn more at www.KerryLeeArt.com/Events / #TheAlchemicalArtist

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